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CEO Message: Thinking about Leadership in Times of Turbulence and Transition

Tuesday, March 14, 2017

"People are often led to causes and often become committed to great ideas through persons who personify those ideas. They have to find the embodiment of the idea in flesh and blood in order to commit themselves to it." - Martin Luther King, Jr.

I’ve been thinking a lot about leadership these days. Recent events have inspired many of us to explore opportunities to lead in our communities, in our work, in our world. We need inspiration, guidance, and ideas from leaders we trust as we try to make sense of the narratives that dominate our national conversation, and work to protect vital programs and services that have been painstakingly built over decades to sustain our families and communities. For many, this is a matter of urgent concern.

On March 29 I hope you will join us for a conversation with several Northern California philanthropic leaders who, through their words and example, embody exactly the kind of leadership and ideas we are seeking. We will hear what they aspire to, what they are learning, how the current cultural, economic, and policy landscape is informing how they lead, and the advice they have for us as we seek to cultivate our own leadership and encourage others to step into leadership roles. The timing could not be better.

The Rev. Dr. King also admonished us that, “Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter.” We hope you will join us for what promises to be a rich and inspiring discussion about leadership, voice, and creating change in our work and our lives.

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